Kilgore College biology instructor Curtis Ivory has been selected as a member of the 2025–26 cohort of CCPI-STEM Fellows, a national honor that recognizes community college faculty and leaders committed to advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and student success.
The CCPI-STEM Fellows program, supported through national STEM initiatives, brings together a competitive group of educators from across the country to engage in professional development, research and collaboration aimed at strengthening STEM pathways at community colleges. Fellows participate in national convenings, contribute to research and implement strategies designed to improve student persistence, achievement and workforce readiness in STEM fields.
Ivory, an assistant professor of biology at KC, is one of a select group of fellows chosen for the fourth cohort of the program. He also serves as co-faculty sponsor of Phi Theta Kappa at KC and is pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education at East Texas A&M University, where his research focuses on STEM persistence, self-efficacy, sense of belonging and academic performance among community college students.
As part of the fellowship, Ivory will collaborate with peers nationwide and attend the National Science Foundation Principal Investigators Conference in Washington, D.C., this October, where he will engage with leading researchers and practitioners working to expand and improve STEM education.
Ivory’s selection marks a milestone for KC, as the college now has two active CCPI-STEM Fellows simultaneously, a distinction shared by only one other institution in the nation, Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.
The second fellow representing KC is Danny Darden, instructor of computer and information technology, who was selected in 2024 as part of the program’s third cohort.
College officials said the recognition reflects both Ivory’s commitment to student success and KC’s growing role in national STEM education initiatives.
“Curtis’ selection as a CCPI-STEM Fellow highlights the impactful work taking place in our classrooms and across our division,” said David Rangel, dean of business and STEM at KC. “His dedication to student success and STEM education will not only benefit his students, but also contribute to broader efforts to strengthen community college pathways nationwide.”
The CCPI-STEM Fellows program emphasizes innovation, equity and evidence-based practices, equipping participants to bring back strategies that support student achievement and expand access to high-demand STEM careers.
Ivory joins a cohort of educators from institutions across the United States, representing a diverse range of disciplines and leadership roles, all focused on advancing STEM education at open-access colleges.
For more information: www.ccpi-stem.org.